Efficient Infrastructure

Supporting effective and efficient regional, national and international infrastructure

We need effective and efficient infrastructure to connect Wellington to the rest of the world. Physical connections – by sea, air, rail and road – will continue to be essential to the flow of goods and people in and out of the city. ICT infrastructure, as the key delivery mechanism for goods and services associated with Wellington’s knowledge industries, must continue to be developed. Future investment in the city’s infrastructure must also be consistent with Wellington’s goals to be efficient and work toward a lower carbon footprint.

A port, a rail network and an international airport support Wellington’s connections nationally and internationally. All facilitate the movement of goods (imports and exports) and people. Passengers and cargo moving in to and out of the city are expected to continue to increase. We need to continue to work to achieve enhanced connectivity through access to long-haul services from Wellington International Airport.

Formal and informal relationships at the city level are supported by the ease by which people can communicate with each other and physically move around. Wellington has good access to, and high use of, public transport. Ninety percent of the region’s residents live within 400 metres of a bus stop or train station (about a five-minute walk). The city needs to continue to support and improve its public transport and pedestrian and cycling infrastructure as an efficient and sustainable way of connecting people with each other.

ICT infrastructure is particularly important to Wellington as a way of connecting the city’s knowledge-based industries to both markets and new ideas and innovations. Knowledge-based service industries that deliver products – usually in the form of large amounts of electronic data – using ICT infrastructure are part of the ‘weightless economy’.

Wellington has historically led the way with respect to broadband infrastructure with early investment in fibre deployment through the city in the mid-1990s. This has supported the rise of a number of innovative companies in the digital sector. The Government has two initiatives that will provide better broadband services through the Wellington area – the ultra-fast broadband initiative, and the rural broadband initiative.

These initiatives are essential for supporting the next stage of development of a strong ICT infrastructure for the city.

Significant amenities, such as the Westpac Stadium, are also key infrastructure for the wider region. Te Papa and other national institutions hosted in Wellington play an important role in facilitating connections regionally, nationally and internationally – as physical venues and public spaces, and as leaders in the areas in which they operate.

Cities and regions rely on investment from the Government to support most major developments and improvements in key infrastructure. Wellington’s city leaders will continue to advocate with the Government to support the infrastructure that Wellington needs to sustain strong regional, national and international connections.

To ensure an effective and efficient infrastructure, Wellington will:

Understand the city’s future infrastructure needs and advocate for investment where required – immediate priorities include long-haul airport capability and the ultra-fast and rural broadband initiatives.

Continue to improve the city’s public transport and pedestrian/cycling infrastructure as a distinctive feature of Wellington, aligned with low-carbon goals.

Develop a sustainable funding model to support the role of regional amenities as key infrastructure where people connect.